If one tries to look for logic in The Alchemist he/she is bound to get disappointed, because intuition and logic are poles apart. Intuition is spontaneous and logic isn’t. This book talks about the ‘spiritual’ strengths within and how one can fully utilize them to convert dreams to reality. The most amazing fact is the sheer will power a ‘shepherd’ exhibits and his uncanny ability to read into every sign/note that nature gives him. If one is as open as Santiago is to life, learning is inevitable and success invincible.
The Alchemist is a wonderful tale on pursuing one’s dreams. Coelho shows how easy it is to give up ever attaining one’s dreams due to complacency - or not wanting to move out of one’s comfort zone. “People are afraid to pursue their most important dreams, because they feel that they don’t deserve them, or that they’ll be unable to achieve them.” Another endearing quote from the book, “There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.” Yet Santiago does want to pursue his dream of finding his treasure and yes, at times we see and feel his fear, but along his journey, he has learned to listen to his heart and to trust what his heart teaches him.

“When a person really desires something all the universe conspires to help that person to realize his dream.” Santiago is constantly tested along the way, yet he continues to listen to the murmurings of his heart, which are never wrong. Santiago learns about love along the way and helps others to face their fears as well. Coelho states, “And that’s where the power of love comes in. Because when we love, we always strive to become better than we are.”
One can relate one’s self to the fears, hopes and dreams as one reads about Santiago’s journey. It is hard to ignore the stark message of following one’s dreams, listening to one’s heart, trusting, loving and learning to let go of fear. “Listen to your heart. It knows all things, because it came from the Soul of the World, and it will one day return there. Wherever your heart is, that is where you’ll find your treasure. Your heart is alive. Keep listening to what it has to say.” The Alchemist imparts these words of wisdom to Santiago when Santiago begins to doubt and question.

“Everyone on earth has treasure that awaits him,” his heart said. “We, people’s hearts, seldom say much about those treasures, because people no longer want to go in search of them. We speak of them only to children. Later we simply let life proceed, in its own direction, toward its own fate. But, unfortunately, very few follow the path laid out for them - the path to their destinies, and to happiness. Most people see the world as a threatening place, and, because they do, the world turns out, indeed, to be a threatening place. So we, their hearts, speak more and more softly. We never stop speaking out.

This tale is inspiring, imaginative, and captivating. Santiago grows throughout the story and in the end, even though he was tested severely, he preserved and obtained his treasure by following his dream. We only limit ourselves - only we place limitations on us, as the universe conspires to aid us in all directions.

It is a ‘must read’ for every student who in today’s stress filled world of academics has no choice but to rely on his inner strength. Alchemist is not just the alchemy of turning a metal into gold but looking at the immense possibility of your capabilities and utilizing them to the fullest.